Discover the perfect blend of luxury mountain living and world-class golf in Sapphire NC. Explore Burlingame Country Club’s premium amenities, real estate options, and breathtaking natural surroundings.
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Mountain Living in Sapphire NC: The Golfer’s Paradise
They’re full of laughter, golden and sparkling. Those perfect moments on the fairway as the sun casts long shadows across the mountains. The cool mountain air filling your lungs as you line up your shot. The satisfaction of a well-played round followed by evenings of camaraderie and connection. This is mountain living at its finest—where nature’s grandeur meets world-class golf in perfect harmony.
Welcome to Sapphire, North Carolina, where luxury mountain living and exceptional golf converge to create what many consider the ultimate lifestyle experience. Here among the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, communities like Burlingame Country Club offer a rare opportunity to live where others vacation—in a place where every day feels like “The Best of Times.”
Whether you’re considering a permanent residence, a seasonal retreat, or simply curious about what makes Sapphire Valley’s golf communities so special, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this golfer’s paradise nestled in the mountains.
Table of Contents
- Mountain Golf Excellence: Burlingame’s Championship Course
- Premium Real Estate: Your Mountain Home Options
- Beyond Golf: Complete Lifestyle Amenities
- Natural Beauty & Outdoor Recreation
- The Burlingame Community Experience
Mountain Golf Excellence: Burlingame’s Championship Course
At the heart of Sapphire’s appeal for golf enthusiasts is Burlingame’s spectacular Tom Jackson-designed championship course. This 18-hole masterpiece stands as a testament to thoughtful design that works with—rather than against—the natural mountain terrain.
Situated at elevations between 3,000 and 3,500 feet, the course offers what many consider the perfect balance: challenging enough to engage seasoned players while remaining enjoyable for those still developing their game. What truly sets Burlingame apart is how the golf experience is enhanced by the natural splendor surrounding it.
Each hole presents its own unique character, with dramatic elevation changes that create both challenging play and spectacular vistas. The signature 17th and 18th holes feature some of the most beautifully framed greens you’ll find anywhere, with mountain backdrops that transform an ordinary round into something truly memorable.
The course maintains impeccable conditions year-round, with smooth-rolling greens and perfectly manicured fairways that wind through mountain forests. Fall brings an especially magical quality as the surrounding hardwoods transition to brilliant reds and golds, creating a playing experience that’s as visually stunning as it is satisfying.
Unlike many mountain courses that can feel overly severe, Burlingame’s design respects the natural contours of the land while ensuring playability. The result is a course that reveals new subtleties with each round, keeping members engaged season after season, year after year.
Premium Real Estate: Your Mountain Home Options
Across Burlingame’s 1,450 acres of pristine mountain terrain, a thoughtfully curated selection of real estate options awaits those seeking to make this golfer’s paradise their home. The community’s approach to development has always prioritized preserving natural beauty while creating living spaces that complement their surroundings.
For those seeking a move-in ready option, Burlingame offers luxury single-family homes that range from mountain rustic to contemporary elegance. These residences feature thoughtful touches like large windows that frame mountain views, spacious outdoor living areas, and architectural details that reflect the natural setting.
If you prefer a lock-and-leave lifestyle with fewer maintenance concerns, the villa options provide the perfect balance of comfort and convenience. These properties offer the quality and amenities expected in a premium community while requiring less personal upkeep.
For those who dream of creating a truly personalized mountain retreat, Burlingame also offers homesites where you can build your vision from the ground up. These carefully selected parcels provide varying perspectives—some overlooking the golf course, others nestled among trees with long-range mountain views.
What sets Burlingame apart from other golf communities is its commitment to thoughtful development that respects the natural environment. Homes are positioned to minimize visual impact while maximizing views, creating a community that feels integrated with rather than imposed upon the landscape.
Real estate in Burlingame represents more than just a property purchase—it’s an investment in a lifestyle that combines natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and a vibrant community in one of North Carolina’s most sought-after mountain destinations.
Beyond Golf: Complete Lifestyle Amenities
While exceptional golf draws many to Sapphire’s mountain communities, Burlingame distinguishes itself through a comprehensive suite of amenities that ensure every day offers new possibilities for engagement, wellness, and enjoyment.
The recently renovated clubhouse serves as the social heart of the community, offering both casual and fine dining options that showcase seasonal ingredients and regional specialties. The warm, inviting atmosphere makes it easy to extend a day on the course into an evening of conversation and connection.
For those who enjoy racquet sports, Burlingame offers professional-grade tennis courts, pickleball facilities, and croquet lawns—all maintained to the same exacting standards as the golf course. These amenities create natural gathering points where friendly competition fosters new friendships and strengthens existing ones.
The wellness facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal training options, a heated swimming pool for year-round enjoyment, and spa services that provide the perfect recovery after a day of mountain recreation. These amenities reflect Burlingame’s commitment to supporting a balanced, active lifestyle.
Unique among Sapphire’s communities, Burlingame also features amenities like a dedicated dog park where four-legged family members can socialize and exercise, creating yet another dimension to the community experience.
Throughout the year, a thoughtfully planned calendar of events and activities brings residents together—from seasonal celebrations to themed dinners, from golf tournaments to wellness workshops. These offerings ensure that even long-term residents continually discover new aspects of the Burlingame experience.
Natural Beauty & Outdoor Recreation
What truly distinguishes Sapphire Valley—and Burlingame in particular—is the extraordinary natural setting that serves as both backdrop and playground for residents. The Blue Ridge Mountains provide a constantly changing canvas of beauty, from spring’s explosion of wildflowers to summer’s lush greenery, from fall’s spectacular color display to winter’s crystalline clarity.
Within Burlingame’s boundaries, the Horsepasture River creates a natural amenity few communities can match. With 11 distinct waterfalls along its course, the river offers both visual splendor and recreational opportunities, including some of the finest trout fishing in the Southeast. Imagine stepping from your door to cast a line in waters that feel untouched by time.
An extensive network of trails allows residents to explore the natural landscape on foot, whether seeking a challenging hike or a contemplative stroll. These paths wind through native forests, along streams, and to vantage points that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Beyond Burlingame’s borders, the broader Sapphire region provides access to even more outdoor adventures. Nearby Gorges State Park, Nantahala National Forest, and numerous lakes offer opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, and more. The area’s moderate climate means outdoor recreation remains accessible nearly year-round.
What makes this natural bounty even more special is how the Burlingame community has embraced a stewardship approach, preserving significant portions of the property as natural areas. This commitment ensures that the beauty drawing people to Sapphire remains protected for future generations to enjoy.
The Burlingame Community Experience
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of life in Sapphire’s premier golf community isn’t something you can see on a map or property listing—it’s the warm, welcoming community that makes Burlingame feel like a family reunion “where everybody actually likes each other.”
The community culture at Burlingame strikes a remarkable balance: exclusive without being exclusionary, refined without being pretentious. New residents frequently comment on how quickly they feel integrated into the community fabric, with long-time members going out of their way to make newcomers feel welcome.
Burlingame’s vibrant social calendar serves as the framework for building these connections. The annual Fourth of July celebration has become legendary among members, while regular events from wine tastings to golf tournaments create natural opportunities for people to come together.
Unlike communities where homes often sit vacant for much of the year, Burlingame maintains a strong year-round presence, with many members choosing to spend increasingly more time in their mountain homes. This creates a consistent community rhythm and ensures facilities remain lively throughout the seasons.
The staff at Burlingame contributes significantly to this special atmosphere, with many team members serving the community for years or even decades. They know members by name, remember preferences, and help create the feeling that Burlingame is truly a second home rather than simply a place to visit.
This sense of belonging—of being part of something special that extends beyond beautiful surroundings and exceptional amenities—is what ultimately distinguishes life at Burlingame and makes Sapphire NC truly a golfer’s paradise in the mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sapphire NC Golf Communities
What makes Sapphire Valley golf courses different from those in other regions?
Sapphire Valley golf courses, including Burlingame’s championship course, offer a unique combination of challenging mountain terrain with dramatic elevation changes (3,000-3,500 feet) and breathtaking scenery. Unlike coastal or piedmont courses, the mountain setting creates natural features that architects like Tom Jackson have incorporated into the design, resulting in courses that are both challenging and visually spectacular. The moderate mountain climate also allows for comfortable play through much of the year, with especially stunning conditions during the fall color season.
What types of real estate are available in Burlingame Country Club?
Burlingame offers diverse real estate options across its 1,450 acres including luxury single-family homes, more manageable villas for those seeking a lock-and-leave lifestyle, and premium homesites for custom builds. Properties vary in their setting, with some overlooking the golf course while others are nestled in forested areas with mountain views. The community’s thoughtful development approach ensures that homes complement rather than compete with the natural landscape, with architectural guidelines that promote quality while allowing for personal expression.
Is Burlingame Country Club strictly a seasonal community?
While Burlingame does see increased activity during summer and fall months, it maintains a vibrant year-round presence. Many members are choosing to spend increasingly more time in their Sapphire homes, with some making them primary residences. The moderate mountain climate, with four distinct but manageable seasons, makes this possible. The club maintains year-round operations with a full calendar of events and activities, ensuring the community remains active and engaged throughout all seasons. This consistent presence contributes significantly to the strong community bonds that define the Burlingame experience.
What Our Members Say About Life at Burlingame
“What a treat to play this course! Conditions were fantastic! Challenging but fair. Greens rolling smoothly. Bring your camera and shoot for an afternoon round to get that sunset pic in Fall. Over the next couple of weeks the colors will be spectacular as the leaves will be changing colors. Bring a range finder with slope and enjoy! Thank you to Beth for allowing us to play your beautiful course. 17 and 18 may be 2 of the best framed greens.”
“This course was my favorite on the trip. Even with the incredible amounts of water from the rain, the course was in great shape and easy to navigate. There are some spectacular views during the round and some of the elevation changes into the holes are incredible. I would play here again for sure.”
“This golf course is incredible. A true mountain golf experience. The greens roll true. The fairways are perfect. The food is excellent and the service is amazing. Everyone waives and says hello. Truly a great place.”
“Fantastic golf course and wonderfully friendly members. The clubhouse was just renovated and is beautiful. The food was over the top good…the fried chicken is the best in the mountain!”
Your Private Adventure Starts Here
As you consider what mountain living in Sapphire could mean for you and your family, remember that Burlingame offers more than just premium amenities and beautiful surroundings—it offers a lifestyle where every day holds the potential for “The Best of Times.”
Here, golf isn’t merely an activity but a centerpiece around which a rich, fulfilling life takes shape. The championship course provides the initial draw, but the complete living experience—from the thoughtfully designed homes to the comprehensive amenities, from the natural splendor to the vibrant community—creates something truly special.
Sapphire’s golf communities, with Burlingame leading the way, represent a rare opportunity to live where the air is cleaner, the pace more intentional, and the surroundings more inspiring. It’s a place where connections—to nature, to others, to yourself—deepen with time.
Whether you’re seeking a permanent residence, a seasonal retreat, or simply a place where life’s most meaningful moments can unfold against a spectacular backdrop, Burlingame Country Club invites you to explore what makes Sapphire NC truly a golfer’s paradise in the mountains.
Contact us today to arrange a personal tour and experience firsthand what makes Burlingame special. Your mountain home awaits.